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Education: Chris Woodhead: Answer the question

My granddaughter will attend an all-girls grammar school, for the first time, in September. Due to recent changes in the education system, we find that her grammar school could be “federated” with not only another grammar school (boys only) but also a co-ed comprehensive school. What is your view on this and how do you think it will affect my granddaughter’s education?

Caroline MeekGloucester

She is lucky, I suppose, to be attending a grammar school at all. If the Labour dominated Commons education committee, which last week published a report castigating the government for failing to deliver on its promise to end selection by ability, had its way, comprehensive education would be the only option.

“Federation” is the new buzz word. Quite what it means in practice is anyone’s guess. Schools might share ideas and/ or teachers. Pupils might move from one